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Tropical Stuffed Cornish Hens

Tropical Stuffed Cornish Hens recipe image
These Tropical Stuffed Cornish Hens are a festive and flavorful centerpiece perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. The small birds are tender and juicy, filled with a hearty stuffing of cooked brown rice, sweet pineapple tidbits, chewy currants, and crunchy macadamia nuts. A glaze made from red pepper jelly and pineapple juice provides a sticky, tangy-sweet finish that balances the savory chicken beautifully. The dish offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors, combining the richness of roasted meat with bright tropical notes. While slightly more involved than a simple roast, the result is impressive enough for guests yet manageable enough for a celebratory family meal. Serve with simple green vegetables to let the complex flavors of the stuffing and glaze shine.
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Calories: 57.3
Dietary: Vegan
Description
These Tropical Stuffed Cornish Hens are a festive and flavorful centerpiece perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. The small birds are tender and juicy, filled with a hearty stuffing of cooked brown rice, sweet pineapple tidbits, chewy currants, and crunchy macadamia nuts. A glaze made from red pepper jelly and pineapple juice provides a sticky, tangy-sweet finish that balances the savory chicken beautifully. The dish offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors, combining the richness of roasted meat with bright tropical notes.
Ingredients
  • 4 Cornish Hens (12-16 oz. ea.)
  • 8 oz Pineapple tidbits (in juice)
  • 12 oz Red pepper jelly
  • 1 tb Butter or margarine
  • 1 c Chopped onions
  • 4 c Cooked brown rice
  • 3/4 c Currants
  • 3/4 c Chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1/2 c Chicken broth
  • 1 tb Diced crystallized ginger
Directions
  1. 1
    Remove giblet packets from hens; rinse hens with cool water and pat dry.
  2. 2
    Drain pineapple well, reserving the juice.
  3. 3
    In a small saucepan, combine the reserved pineapple juice and red pepper jelly.
  4. 4
    Heat the jelly mixture over low heat until the jelly melts, stirring occasionally. Set aside for basting.
  5. 5
    In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and cook until tender.
  6. 6
    Add cooked brown rice, drained pineapple tidbits, currants, macadamia nuts, chicken broth, and crystallized ginger to the skillet.
  7. 7
    Stir well and heat the stuffing mixture thoroughly. Remove from heat.
  8. 8
    Spoon about 2/3 cup of the stuffing mixture into the cavity of each hen.
  9. 9
    Use wooden picks, soaked in water, to secure the legs and close the filling in the cavity.
  10. 10
    Place hens breast side up in a roasting pan on a rack coated with cooking spray.
  11. 11
    Baste the hens with the jelly mixture.
  12. 12
    Roast at 400 degrees F (204°C) for 10 minutes.
  13. 13
    Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (177°C).
  14. 14
    Continue roasting for 1 hour or until internal temperature registers 180 to 185 degrees F, basting every 30 minutes with remaining jelly mixture.
  15. 15
    If there is extra stuffing, cover it in a baking dish and bake during the last 30 minutes of roasting time until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 57.3kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.9g2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 10.0mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 12.7g5%
Dietary Fiber 1.6g7%
Sugars 2.1g
Protein 2.3g5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Ensure the stuffing is cooked thoroughly if placing it in a baking dish separately; it should reach 165 degrees F.

Soak wooden picks in water for at least 15 minutes before using to prevent them from burning in the oven.

If you prefer a spicier glaze, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the red pepper jelly mixture.

Leftover hens can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: cornish hens, stuffed chicken, tropical recipe, pineapple stuffing, red pepper jelly, roasted poultry, macadamia nuts, holiday dinner, sweet and savory, brown rice stuffing, easy roast, party food, glazed chicken, dinner party, stuffed birds, tropical flavors, roast chicken, festive meal, chicken recipe
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/tropical-stuffed-cornish-hens-2/